Maurice Stanley explains at a press conference in his barber shop an error made in his campaign finance report was because of his inexperience. Stanley donated to the South Plains Honor Flight program $2,740 in campaign funds he filed without identifying the donors.

Maurice Stanley stood in his barbershop Monday on south University Avenue and explained how he has always used a collection bucket in the past to raise funds for causes such as helping a cancer-stricken friend pay her bills and supporting local schools and churches.

In February, Stanley brought the bucket out again, this time to help finance his run for a seat on the Lubbock City Council. He labeled it “Maurice’s Common Sense Fund.”

Stanley reported Friday a total of $8,660.89 in contributions to his campaign.

The district 3 city council candidate in a press conference described an error disclosing donors in his first campaign finance report as a mistake made by an inexperienced politician. He said he hoped to rectify it by giving the questionable donations — which totaled $2,740 — to the South Plains Honor Flight Program. He said he will donate his own money to his campaign to cover as much of the deficit as he can.

“The fact is I made a mistake. It’s not the end of the world. It’s not the first mistake I ever made (and) it won’t be the last mistake I ever make and the thing is to pick up and move on with it and that’s what we’re going to try to do,” he said.

Unlike the other causes the collection bucket was used, he said he didn’t ask for donations for his political campaign. It just sat in his barber shop, where donors dropped unsolicited bills of various denominations. Each donor gave less than $50. He estimates about 300 people dropped money into the collection bucket that totaled $2,740 when it came time to report campaign donations.

He said believed he didn’t have to name those donors since they each gave less than $50. Instead, he listed in the report several donations made by anonymous customers.

Stanley found out on Monday the anonymous donor line was a big no-no in campaign finance, according to Jay Leeson, a campaign representative.

A Texas Ethics Commission representative said the contributions would be considered questionable, so Stanley decided to donate it and refused to shuffle the money through a political action committee, Leeson said.

Stanley said he didn’t want his error to distract voters from what he believes are the important issues of the race.

“This campaign is about central Lubbock and central Lubbock issues, central Lubbock infrastructure,” he said. “And that’s what I want to talk about in this campaign.”

Stanley said he has made donations to South Plains Honor Flights in the past. The organization provides trips to World War II, Korean and Vietnam war veterans to the nation’s capitol to visit memorials built in their honor.

Myron Hargrove said Stanley’s donation would help finance an October trip they are organizing.

“We’re still collecting donations and we’re still seeking veterans that are able to make this trip, and we really appreciate this contribution and we’re just grateful for the community and for their support,” he said.

The collection bucket will still be a part of Stanley’s campaign. But he said this time donors will be recognized.

“My campaign will continue to collect funds, this time we will use a Big Chief tablet and a yellow pencil and we will record names and addresses of all that put anything in that bucket,” he said.

Deanne Clark, who is running against Stanley and Jeff Griffith for the district 3 seat, said she believes Stanley is rectifying the error.

“All of us have got to keep these records because showing who gave to these various campaigns kind of shows where the interest is in Lubbock for the things that happen in city council,” she said.

However, she said the race is turning away from the grassroots as her opponents amass bigger war chests for the race. Clark reported collected about $4,400 in contributions while Griffith’s campaign has close to $30,000.

“We need to keep it in the grassroots so people like me can feel like they can run and they might be able to raise enough money to get in office if they work hard,” she said “And so it’s just symptomatic of big deals in Lubbock and I think our people are feeling they are taxed plenty and there are a lot of hidden things, hidden taxes and things and they are ready for representatives to be open with them and include them in the decision and to take their little $20 and $50 and let them have a voice in what’s going on so that’s where the significance is.”

Clark said she listed donors who made contributions of less than $50.

“I’m very grateful and there are a lot of little people that make a sacrifice when they give $20 and it touches my heart,” she said. “And so yes, of course, I have a delightful treasurer, Dickie Holcomb, and she is so conscientious about getting everything down and then of course I write them a thank you, so I want to know.”

Griffith did not comment on the issue from Stanley’s campaign finance reporting error. But he did say his campaign recorded donors who gave less than $50 in his report.

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I don't know much about these three candidates but a lot is revealed about them in just this news story. Mr. Stanley is not a professional politician and it is obvious because he does not know some of the campaign donation rules. I find this refreshing because he is more likely to use common sense rather than the typical lack of common sense practiced by so most politicians. Also, I love that he is contributing the amount in question to worthy causes. Ms. Clark's comments about "the little people" are offensive & worry me - the "little people" are the voters. Mr. Griffith's large campaign donations tells me that he might be a professional politician and I have become so disillusioned by professional politicians. Based on just this news story, I would be more inclined to vote for the common sense barber at this time!

@ GIGI4: "I find this refreshing because he is more likely to use common sense rather than the typical lack of common sense practiced by so most politicians."
@ GIGI4: "Ms. Clark's comments about 'the little people' are offensive & worry me - the "little people" are the voters."

"Common sense" might also refer to adhering to the campaign rules and regulations.
During last summer's protests against the LP&L rate increases, MAURICE remained silent. He spoke against annexations, which is admirable, but said nothing about relief for hard-pressed ratepayers.
If you go to his Web Site, his platform has little in the way of specifics, except for: "Bottom line: when Xcel first presented an increase to LP&L, that increase should have been passed on to the rate payer."
"Thus, I will be a supporter of LEDA and Market Lubbock Inc. We must stay competitive in the market if we hope to increase the possibility of creating a better job market for our graduates".

Nothing about reducing LP&L rates, nothing about the huge salaries being paid to City and LP&L employees, nothing about the Corporate Welfare being paid to a handful of individuals and families, except:

MAURICE buys in to the notion that many Tech graduates could stay in Lubbock if we had the jobs. That is a long discredited idea, and it is more unlikely than ever with our water problems and the drought.

What about the debt? MAURICE writes: " I will support tax increases in small increments until we achieve a necessary level of funding to achieve such goals".

Just what we need. More taxes! More fees! No economies, like reducing or eliminating LEDA, the "Master Developer" contract, the huge salaries, but higher taxes and fees.

It is clear that MAURICE would be no change at all from the current crop of City Council members. More of the same. More debt, more taxes and fees, more cronyism.

Speaking of "cronyism", take a look at JEFF GRIFFITH's campaign contributors. They include a number of developers and real estate people, most notably: MIKE McDOUGAL: $ 500. TONY PRIVETT, McDOUGAL "spokesman": $ 250. 'Nough said!

JEFF's Web Site features: " A New Perspective":
"Improve the safety and property values in neighborhoods.
Oversee and monitor LP&L and ensure Lubbock’s electric and water supplies are in place for coming generations.
Support growth in our community, businesses and in our Universities, while using sound financial management principles."

Broad generalities, like KAREN GIBSON's platform, but
almost no specifics. No specifics, but developer contributors. No change there!

GIGI should not be "offended" about DEANNE
CLARK's comment about the "little people". She is NOT putting down the "little people", just might have better said the "common people" or the tens of thousands of the "forgotten people".Senator RALPH YARBOROUGH used to talk about the "little people": " put the jam on the lower shelf so the little people can reach it".
Let's look at DEANNE CLARK: “I’m really grieved over the $1.1 billon we’re in debt,” Clark said shortly before making her official announcement from a podium at City Hall.
“It saddles those children before they are even born.”

In her formal announcement, she said, “We are ranked fifth in the state for per capita debt load. Our debt service payment is greater than our voter-approved debt.”

Quite a contrast! If you wish MORE of the same, vote for "Common Sense" MAURICE STANLEY or pure establishment JEFF GRIFFITH. If you wish a positive change for the tens of thousands of us who pay the bills without relief, DEANNE is your candidate!